Bad Audi service

I bought my first Audi a Q5 from Audi Menlyn, brilliant service, thereafter my wife bought 2 Q3’s also from Menlyn, again brilliant service.

Unfortunately, that is where it ends.

We moved to Centurion, therefore we used Audi Centurion branch because it was the closest to service. Every week after my Q5 was in for a service (really every one) I had to take it back to get the Add blue refilled, I had numerous fights from service department to the dealership manager, every time I get the same message: “Sorry sir, we put the vehicle on a machine, that gives us from Germany a report what must be done to your vehicle, and add blue didn’t needed to be refilled.” Really every time, every time I requested please check the add blue, but a week later I had it back at Audi Centurion Branch, because my Q5 tells me on the dash it needs Add blue.

I was sometimes so angry I parked outside, took the key inside and left, forgot to take out the valuables that were missing after getting back the car, yes I had to take it out, but still. Once they opened the vehicles door next to mine, while I was looking, and scratched the vehicle. They didn’t have a choice and let it be repaired, needles to say it was so bad done, I had to take it back twice.

While the vehicle was still in warranty, twice a yellow engine light went on, that actually said there is something wrong with the catalysator monitor, Audi Centurion, just reset it and at least their problem was resolved.

When the vehicle got in for the 95 000km service I told them I am going to Cape Town the weekend for December holiday, please be sure everything is right and make sure add blue is filled.

On my way to Cape Town, the brake lights went on, I immediately called the branch and they requested me to take the vehicle to Audi N1 Branch. They asked me when was the vehicle last services, I told them few days ago, they informed me all 4 wheels brake discs and brake pads must be replaced. Audi Centurion Branch hoped I get out of warranty then thy don’t need to pay it. Due to a public holiday in that week, I didn’t had my vehicle that week, I had to borrow a vehicle for that week, no curtesy vehicle available. On my back home to Pretoria, yes, the add blue light went on. This was reported to Audi South Africa, the dealership after a big fight with dealership manager added add blue.

At 132 000km the yellow engine light went on again, took it in to Audi Centurion (Wednesday) and requested them to do the 135 000km service at the same time. I drove off through the parking of VW next door, the yellow light came on again, I turned back and the only help I got was: “Sir, please make a booking and bring the car in again” I reported it to Audi South Africa, requested that Centurion come and get the car at my home and leave a curtesy vehicle. On Thursday night I decided to sell the vehicle, but to get an evaluation of the vehicle it must be fixed. Needless to say, Audi Centurion didn’t fetch the vehicle and didn’t had a curtesy vehicle, I took the vehicle Friday back to Centurion Branch. Just to get informed the pipe from the add blue tank in the back to the front of the vehicle must be replaced and I only can get the vehicle back next Wednesday. R5k later I got my vehicle. I drove to Audi Hatfield and Audi Menlyn for an evaluation to sell the vehicle.

Arriving at home there was a mess under my vehicle, the add blue spilled out on my drive way and garage, what a mess. I again reported it to Audi South Africa Customer service, requested that Audi Centurion must fetch the vehicle, clean the mess and leave a curtesy vehicle. Again, no curtesy vehicle, they cleaned the mess and took the vehicle in the next day. I received the vehicle back the same day.

I had a person that wanted to buy the car from me and he asked if he can borrow the vehicle over the weekend. Needless to say, on Saturday he called me and told me that there is a mess under the vehicle, all add blue in his drive way and garage. Again, I requested Audi SA customer service to request Audi Centurion to fetch the vehicle and please assist with a curtesy vehicle. I also demanded that the vehicle must be taken to Menlyn branch to get repaired. Audi SA customer care responded it can’t be done at the Menlyn Branch due to different dealer ships. They came to get the vehicle, again not a vehicle for the day. The vehicle was repaired the same day and delivered to me with a chemical flued to give to the person who wanted to buy the vehicle to clean his driveway and garage.

In meantime the Q3 has to get its first service, due to bad experience with Centurion Branch I took the Q3 to Menlyn, thanks brilliant service! I requested them to quote me on a SQ5 (no add blue it is petrol). They found the car I want and told me it will be available next week Tuesday.

Two days later, while awaiting my new SQ5, the mess was back in my garage. Again, Audi SA Customer care was requested to sort the problem. I demanded again that the vehicle was taken to Audi Menlyn branch to get it fixed, same lousy excuse, that they are different dealers and therefore Centurion has to fix it. I demanded that an executive from Audi SA contact me to discuss the matter and get the vehicle fixed, needless to say I am still waiting for that call. Who cares, not Audi SA?

I want to predict what will happen now. Audi SA customer care will refuse that Audi Menlyn fix the vehicle. Then Audi Centurion will come and get the vehicle, and of course no curtesy car. They will tell me the front part must be replaced due to the many times they tried to fix it, it is stripped. Then it will cost me anything between R5k and R10k. Then it will leak again and then they will replace both parts again with double the cost because the vehicle is out of warranty.

Three weeks ago, I bought 2 new VW Caddies for my company, I had to give them every where a 5 rating, it was actually highlighted in yellow so that Audi and VW get good customer reviews. It seems if the dishonesty after the diesel scandal never stopped.